SAN DIEGO (AP) -There was no doubt for whom the heavy metal bells were tolling - Trevor Hoffman and his 500 career saves.
Hoffman became the first big leaguer to reach that plateau when he saved the San Diego Padres' 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.
The 39-year-old Hoffman pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances this season. He jogged in from the bullpen accompanied by AC/DC's ominous "Hells Bells" as usual, and a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,541 at Petco Park.
Hoffman set the career record with his 479th save on Sept. 28 against Pittsburgh, breaking Lee Smith's old mark of 478. Hoffman finished the 2006 season with 482.
The right-hander was an unknown rookie with two saves when the Padres obtained him in a controversial five-player deal on June 24, 1993. It was one of the big trades of the Padres' "fire sale" that summer as they shed as many big salaries as they could. Gary Sheffield, who won the NL batting title the season before, was one of the two players who went to the Marlins in the trade.
Hoffman has converted 14 straight saves since blowing save chances in consecutive appearances April 26-27. The second of those blown saves came on Trevor Hoffman Night against the Dodgers.
